The use of the water of the lakes and running streams of Oregon for the purpose of developing the mineral resources of the state and to furnish electric power for all purposes, is declared to be a public and beneficial use and a public necessity. Subject to the provisions of the Water Rights Act (as defined in ORS 537.010), the right to divert unappropriated waters of any such lakes or streams for such public and beneficial use is granted.
ORS 541.110
Applied in 1 court decision — leading case WaterWatch of Oregon v. Water Resources Dept. (2020)
Most recently applied in WaterWatch of Oregon v. Water Resources Dept. (June 2020)
Official source: Oregon State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Oregon statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.